Einherjer
Odin Owns Ye All

THE REVIEW

Have you ever tried to imagine how the Edda by Snorri might have sounded if it had been set to music? Well, this wonderful album is the answer. In fact, this album is the Edda in music.

For those who don't know, the Prose Edda is a text dating back to the 13th century, written by Icelandic scholar Snorri Sturluson as a manual for the skalds (from Old Norse skald, poet), containing the summary of pre-Christian Norse mythology. The Einherjer have drawn from this masterpiece of Nordic literature to bring "Odin Owns Ye All" to life. Those who discovered Einherjer through their first album, "Dragons Of The North," will find noticeable differences here. First of all, the singer: the hoarse voice of Rune Bjelland has been replaced by the more versatile one of Ragnar Vikse. But it is the music overall that has changed: the original viking sound has transformed into an even more (if possible) epic sound. In short, to tackle a subject like this, it was necessary to adapt the music to the tone of the narration. And that's exactly what captivates when listening to the album: the majesty and epicness that describe the origin, evolution, destruction, and rebirth of the world according to the Vikings.

The making of such an album was written in the name of the Einherjer themselves, a name that in Norse mythology refers to those fallen in battle who reside in Valhalla ("Hall of the Chosen") awaiting the final battle that will occur at the end of the world. After a brief instrumental intro, the journey begins right from the start: "Out Of Ginnungagap" indeed tells of the creation of everything that exists from the nothingness of the great primordial abyss Ginnungagap ("Yawning Abyss"), and "Clash Of The Elder" reminds us of the clash between giants at the dawn of time. "Odin Owns Ye All" is a true anthem to the power and wisdom of Odin, the Allfather, father of gods and men. Then come the other tracks, narrating divine events, battles, the fate of men after death, in a crescendo of pathos as the tragic final epilogue, Ragnarok ("Twilight of the Gods"), approaches, followed by the rebirth of a new world and a new generation of men ("A New Earth"). All this without any drop in tone or missteps, proving the commitment, even at the level of lyrics, that this Norwegian band has devoted to creating this album.

"Odin Owns Ye All" is thus an album that can be listened to from beginning to end without tiring or boring, which combines the typical epic nature of viking with purely folk elements creating a gem that cannot be missing from the collection of genre enthusiasts. Certainly, the black roots are hard to trace here, but for once they have willingly given way to more suitable expressive means for such a "noble" topic. In conclusion, there's only one last thing to remind you: Odin Owns Ye All!

ps: some parts of the album are better enjoyed while holding a nice mug full of beer (or mead), perhaps clinking it with that of your companion nearby.

1. Leve Vikinngeaanden
2. Out Of Ginnungagap
3. Clash Of The Elder
4. Odin Owns Ye All
5. Remember Tokk
6. Home
7. The Pathfinder & The Prophetess
8. Inferno
9. A New Earth